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How to Watch BBC iPlayer in South Africa in 2024
Can one access BBC iPlayer in South Africa? Unfortunately, BBC iPlayer is not currently available in South Africa due to geo-restrictions, but it is possible to use a VPN to bypass these restrictions and access the streaming service. These geo-restrictions are designed to prevent access to the content from regions where it is restricted.
Accessing BBC iPlayer from South Africa is easy with Surfshark VPN. If you enjoy popular programs such as The Gold and Happy Valley, you might wonder why BBC iPlayer is not accessible in South Africa. The reason for this is that BBC iPlayer has licensing agreements with various countries that prevent it from being available in South Africa.
This raises the question, “In which countries is BBC iPlayer available?” BBC iPlayer is only available in the UK, and outside of the UK, a VPN is necessary to access the service. If you’re located in South Africa, this guide will provide you with instructions on how to watch BBC iPlayer, so keep reading.
How to Watch BBC iPlayer in South Africa (Quick Guide)
To watch BBC iPlayer in South Africa, you only need a VPN.
- Subscribe to a VPN. We highly recommend Surfshark VPN because of its fast server speeds.
- Install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to the UK server.
- Now launch BBC iPlayer’s official website or app, sign in and enjoy BBC iPlayer in South Africa.
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Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in South Africa?
Due to licensing and distribution agreements, BBC iPlayer is not available in South Africa, which means that you cannot access the service even if you have it. To watch BBC iPlayer in South Africa, you will need a VPN.
When attempting to access BBC iPlayer from South Africa, a geo-restriction error page will be displayed instead.
“BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.”
With a VPN, you can connect to a server located in a country where BBC iPlayer is available, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions.
By following the aforementioned steps, your streaming device will be assigned a UK IP address, allowing you to access BBC iPlayer as if you were located in the UK. By using Surfshark VPN, you will no longer need to wonder about the availability of BBC iPlayer in different regions, such as the South Africa.
Surfshark VPN: Recommended VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in South Africa
Our top recommendation for watching BBC iPlayer in South Africa is Surfshark VPN. This VPN employs the fast and secure Lightway protocol and has recently upgraded to 10 Gbps servers, allowing us to achieve a download speed of 92.26 Mbps.
A desirable feature of a VPN is having a global server network, and Surfshark VPN boasts over 3200+ servers in 100+ countries. Nevertheless, as the UK BBC iPlayer has the largest selection of content, Surfshark VPN has over 20 server locations within the country.
After conducting extensive testing, we have determined that the London server is the most optimal for streaming BBC iPlayer.
Surfshark VPN enables you to watch your preferred TV shows and movies from any location. Whether you wish to watch BBC iPlayer in South Africa or elsewhere, Surfshark VPN makes it possible.
During our evaluation of Surfshark VPN, we were impressed with its exceptional download speed of 92.26 Mbps and upload speed of 89.45 Mbps, achieved on a 100 Mbps internet connection.
Surfshark VPN prioritizes security and privacy, offering a range of features to support this commitment. These include AES-256-bit encryption, encrypted DNS on every server, VPN split tunneling, and TrustedServer technology.
Moreover, the Surfshark VPN app is available for Android, Linux, Windows, iOS, and macOS, and a single account allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
Surfshark VPN also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, ensuring customer satisfaction.
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How to Sign up for BBC iPlayer in South Africa?
To create a BBC iPlayer account in South Africa, you need to follow these steps:
- First, subscribe to and download a reliable VPN service like Surfshark VPN, then install it.
- Log in to the VPN using your login credentials and connect to a UK server, preferably located in Docklands or Wembley.
- After successfully connecting, go to the BBC iPlayer website.
- Click on the “Sign in” button.
- Choose the option to register for an account.
- Select your age group, either “Under 16” or “Over 16,” and enter your date of birth.
- Fill out the form with the required information.
- Choose the UK as your country and enter a UK postcode.
- Click on the “Register” button and verify your email.
- Your account is now set up, and you can access BBC iPlayer from South Africa.
It’s important to keep in mind that when you attempt to access BBC iPlayer, you will be prompted to confirm that you possess a legitimate TV license, which is mandatory for UK residents to use iPlayer. But don’t worry; just select “Yes” to confirm that you have a valid license.
What to Watch on BBC iPlayer?
BBC iPlayer boasts a vast collection of television shows, sports and movies that can be streamed online. If you’re uncertain what to watch on BBC iPlayer, we have compiled a list of the top movies, sports and shows available on the platform. Here’s a look at them:
- Silent Witness
- Top Gear
- Crossfire
- Conversation with Friends
- Peaky Blinders
- Beautiful Boy
- Schindler’s List
- Wild Life
- The Duchess
- Tennis
- MMA
- Motorsports
- Irish League Football Live
What devices are compatible with BBC iPlayer?
BBC iPlayer is compatible with a wide range of popular devices. Here’s a list of devices that support BBC iPlayer:
- Windows (desktop, laptop)
- macOS
- Android
- iOS (iPad and iPhone)
- Chromecast
- Amazon Firestick TV
- Smart TV
- Apple TV
- Roku
- Kodi
How Do I Install BBC iPlayer on Roku?
As there is no dedicated VPN app available for Roku devices, you will need to set up Surfshark VPN on your home router. The following steps outline the process:
- To begin, register for a VPN and configure it on your home router.
- Connect your Roku device to your smart TV.
- Connect your Roku device to the Wi-Fi network configured with your VPN.
- Open the Roku Channel Store and search for BBC iPlayer.
- Select the app and choose “Add Channel.”
- Launch BBC iPlayer, sign in, and start streaming on Roku.
How Can I Watch BBC iPlayer on Android?
Here’s how you can watch BBC iPlayer on Android:
- Register for a VPN.
- Get the app and carry out the installation process.
- Start the app and connect to a server in the UK, preferably the London server as recommended.
- Access the Google Play Store and install the BBC iPlayer app.
- After installing the application, sign in with your credentials, and proceed to stream BBC iPlayer on your Android device.
How Do I Install BBC iPlayer on my iPhone?
Here’s how to install BBC iPlayer on your iPhone:
- Register with a VPN.
- Access the Apple App Store and install the app.
- Connect to a server a server located in the UK, preferably the one in London.
- Install the BBC iPlayer app from the App Store.
- Open the BBC iPlayer app, log in, and begin streaming content.
FAQs
Is BBC iPlayer available in South Africa?
Currently, BBC iPlayer is not accessible in South Africa, but you can use a VPN to access it.
Which VPN works with BBC iPlayer in South Africa?
Since BBC iPlayer is limited by geographical restrictions and not accessible in South Africa, it is crucial to use a VPN such as Surfshark VPN to access BBC iPlayer content from South Africa.
Conclusion
To watch BBC iPlayer in South Africa, you can use Surfshark VPN. The platform is not accessible in South Africa due to geographic restrictions, which use geo-blocking technology to exclude users from restricted regions. Therefore, it is essential to use a VPN to bypass these restrictions and access BBC iPlayer content.
It can be frustrating to miss out on your preferred content because of geographic restrictions. Hence, use this guide to binge-watch your favorites without any hassle. Additionally, make use of the 30-day money-back guarantee to enjoy uninterrupted streaming.
Also read:
How to Watch BBC iPlayer in Greece
